Refresher course without clinical hours...is it worth it?!

Nurses Retired

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I've been thinking about taking a refresher course because I have been a SAHM for almost 5 years. My husband is in the military so until my kids are all in school, it's just too difficult to return to work at this time, even PRN. When you move every 1-3 years it makes it pretty difficult.

Anyway, has anybody ever taken a refresher course, but not done the clinical portion? I'm wondering if it is a huge waste of my time or if it's worth it to keep updated on current information. I can do the entire refesher online, but obviously clincial hours are all in a hospital / clinic setting. Once again, I run into problems with my husband's career.

Any opinions?

Also, does anyone else feel like they could still go right back to nursing with no problem after 5 years? I swear, I have not forgotten a thing. I think it's terrible that we are considered unemployable after 5 years:(

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I do not have any answers for you but I am elated that I found this website. I have been inactive in nursing since 2001 and have been considering returning. I know nothing about taking a refresher course myself, but I do no that I would need something. As far as fundamental nursing knowledge, I feel it is tucked away in our brains, and will return or will be much easier to relearn if need be. I appreciate reading the advice from other nurses and their personal experience. Please, if anyone out there has been there done that, please advise:confused::confused:

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, ICU/CCU, GE Lab.

I'm actually in a similar situation. I have 3 young kids. I've been out of working in the hospital for 4 years, but 2 years ago I was working in a cardiac doctor's office. Can you tell me what online course you are referring to?? It might work for me.

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No problem, here it is: http://www.mccn.edu/academic-programs/online-rn-refresher-course.html

If you take it, please let me know how it goes:)

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, ICU/CCU, GE Lab.

thanks

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, ICU/CCU, GE Lab.

Actually I found a lot of videos on You tube! You'd be surprised. Here's a good one LINK

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I've been thinking about taking a refresher course because I have been a SAHM for almost 5 years. My husband is in the military so until my kids are all in school, it's just too difficult to return to work at this time, even PRN. When you move every 1-3 years it makes it pretty difficult.

Anyway, has anybody ever taken a refresher course, but not done the clinical portion? I'm wondering if it is a huge waste of my time or if it's worth it to keep updated on current information. I can do the entire refesher online, but obviously clincial hours are all in a hospital / clinic setting. Once again, I run into problems with my husband's career.

Any opinions?

Also, does anyone else feel like they could still go right back to nursing with no problem after 5 years? I swear, I have not forgotten a thing. I think it's terrible that we are considered unemployable after 5 years:(

That is quite impressive. I don't see how one could not practice for 5 years and absolutely not forget a thing. Then again, I forgot an appointment I made last week!:o I think a double purpose of nurse refresher courses is to introduce new knowledge as well as reviewing old stuff. Lots of things change quickly in health care; evidence based practice continually tweaks what was always done and revises it. Technology changes constantly, so I personally would not want to re-enter practice without a clinical element. But you could certainly never be harmed by taking any kind of nurse refresher course, with or without the clinical requirement. Just be sure to check the BON requirements in whichever state you eventually decide to re-enter the profession as some states absolutely require both a refresher course as well as clinical hours.

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That is quite impressive. I don't see how one could not practice for 5 years and absolutely not forget a thing. Then again, I forgot an appointment I made last week!:o I think a double purpose of nurse refresher courses is to introduce new knowledge as well as reviewing old stuff. Lots of things change quickly in health care; evidence based practice continually tweaks what was always done and revises it. Technology changes constantly, so I personally would not want to re-enter practice without a clinical element. But you could certainly never be harmed by taking any kind of nurse refresher course, with or without the clinical requirement. Just be sure to check the BON requirements in whichever state you eventually decide to re-enter the profession as some states absolutely require both a refresher course as well as clinical hours.

Thanks for the advice. I'll leave it at that.

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Doing a refresher course with clinical rotation would be better, then you can get foot in the door, and letters from nurses that helped you with your rotation. Don't be afraid to ask.

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Thank you for the replies. I also wanted to thank JAHRA for her advice. I can't send private messages b/c I don' thave enough posts yet; otherwise, I would have thank you that way. This is all great advice.

I've been having fun getting books from the library (2010 or newer) and refreshing my knowledge. I'm surprised how much is stored away in my brain;) I think once I'm ready to go back to work, I'll take the refresher course with clinical hours, but for now I'll just have fun studying on my own and doing CEs!!

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I've been thinking about taking a refresher course because I have been a SAHM for almost 5 years. My husband is in the military so until my kids are all in school, it's just too difficult to return to work at this time, even PRN. When you move every 1-3 years it makes it pretty difficult.

Anyway, has anybody ever taken a refresher course, but not done the clinical portion? I'm wondering if it is a huge waste of my time or if it's worth it to keep updated on current information. I can do the entire refesher online, but obviously clincial hours are all in a hospital / clinic setting. Once again, I run into problems with my husband's career.

Any opinions?

Also, does anyone else feel like they could still go right back to nursing with no problem after 5 years? I swear, I have not forgotten a thing. I think it's terrible that we are considered unemployable after 5 years:(

A gf of mine was in your situation, military wife too. She did take a refresher course WITH the clinical. She said it was def worth it. The course work was super easy, basically a refresher. No grades. Just "pass" with an 80. Keep testing until you pass, but so easy you'd pass the first time.

She said clinicals were worth doing just for the changes in charting. Her class was through a community college. They scheduled the clinicals on four weekends in a row and had an on-site instructor. I think others use preceptors and if you do "on line" you have to find your own preceptor (yikes!), just depends on the set up.

She told me she was mostly surprised at how much technology had changed. Charting was completely computerized now. No paper at all. Everything else pretty much the same. She was offered a job at the same hospital where she did the clinicals at -- as were 3/4ths of her fellow students.

Hope this helps.

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Specializes in Psych, ICU, LTC.

I have also looked into refresher courses. I was on the State licensing site the other week and reading Board minutes. There were four areas of knowledge (in our state) where they were requiring nurses to get CEUs before reinstatement after time lapse without practice. I was also active as a domestic violence/sexual assault advocate a while back, so I spent time in the hospital without the pressure of being "on duty" and responsible. Helped me, over time, become acclimated to the environment and flow. Maybe anyone that actually goes through and completes a refresher course can post what it was like and what, if anything, it seemed to lack.

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